Parasites are commonly found in aquatic environments. Join Joe and Drew in this episode as they discuss common parasites found in fish and aquatic wildlife, some factors that influence parasite rates, and what you can do to reduce parasite loadings in your ponds or streams. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Program at Kansas State University. Find out more about the program at http://hnr.k-state.ed...
Jul 01, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 446
Today’s conversation offers a unique window into the intricate world of poults. We are joined by Eva Noroski, Field Coordinator for the UF Game Lab, as she shares insights into poult development, growth rates, behavior, vocalization, social dynamics, social bonding, and more. We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Enroll Now! Eva Noroski @eva_noroski ...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 445
In this episode, Stephanie Boyles-Griffin, Jessica Tegt, Steve Demarais, and Bronson Strickland discuss the complexities of urban deer management, exploring the challenges posed by growing deer populations in urban areas. While recreational hunting remains the most effective and practical tool for population control in most settings, an increasing number of circumstances—especially in urban and suburban areas—render it unfeasible. Stephanie and Jessica, both from the Botstiber Institute, outline...
Jun 29, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 444
We’re bringing back Dr. Craig Harper’s step-by-step guide on how to create quality brooding and nesting cover on your property. Resources: Gruchy, J. P. (2007). An evaluation of field management practices to improve bobwhite habitat. Gruchy, J. P., & Harper, C. A. (2014). Effects of field management practices on northern bobwhite habitat. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 1(1), 133-141. Johnson, V. M., et al. (2022). Nest site selection and survival of wi...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 443
Central Oklahoma’s public lands don’t manage themselves. In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things, veteran wildlife manager Jeff Pennington explains how the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation stewards roughly 125,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) scattered from Kansas to Texas. He explains why deer now dominate management goals, how diverse habitats—from Cross Timbers uplands to Red River wetlands—shape every decision, and why prescribed fire remains the sin...
Jun 22, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 442
Whether you call them groundhogs, woodchucks, or whistlepigs, these large squirrels - yes, they’re squirrels - are very interesting, but can also be a challenging critter to deal with when they cause property damage. Join Drew and Joe as they discuss groundhog biology, natural history, the property damage that they sometimes cause, and control options for preventing or dealing with groundhog damage. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlif...
Jun 17, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 441
In this episode, we review trending data across hunter age, hunter recruitment, decoy use, and reaping as Dr. Zach Steele, Post-doctoral associate and interdisciplinary ecologist specializing in human dimensions, walks us through his newest publication. Resources: Harris, A. (2006). Turkey hunting in 2006: an analysis of hunter demographics, trends, and economic impacts. USFWS Report, 7. Maryland Spring Turkey Hunter Survey – Results Summary. August 2017 Steele, Z.T., & M.A. Lashley. (2025)....
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 440
In this episode, Josh Richardson from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation unpacks the challenges and triumphs of managing wildlife habitat on the state’s overwhelmingly privately owned lands. With a background in both private and migratory species work, Josh brings a wealth of experience to the table—from quail tracking with GPS to helping landowners realistically match goals with land capacity. He highlights the importance of passion, persistence, and partnerships in building thriv...
Jun 14, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 439
James and Mark are joined by Dr. Dwayne Elmore, Gamebird Program Director at Tall Timbers, for a deep dive into the vital role of thermal ecology in gamebird management—particularly for quail. Dr. Elmore explains how temperature shapes bird behavior, habitat selection, and the critical value of shrub cover in providing thermal refuge. The conversation highlights the need for more research on thermal conditions and their implications for wildlife management, especially in the Southeast. Key insig...
Jun 13, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 438
In this episode, we explore the findings of a recent state of the bird report, highlighting the interconnectedness and decline of species across ecosystems. Resources: Merlin Bird ID Rosenberg, K. V., et al. (2019). Decline of the North American avifauna. Science, 366(6461), 120-124. Seek app (by iNaturalist) State of the Birds Report: United States of America We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat manage...
Jun 09, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 437
Ponds can naturally separate with warm oxygenated water near the surface and a cooler, unoxygenated layer in deeper areas. Join Joe and Drew as they discuss pond stratification, summer fish kills, and how aeration may help maintain a thriving pond ecosystem. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management Program at Kansas State university. Find out more about the program at http://hnr.k-state.edu/academics/unde...
Jun 03, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 436
In this episode, Marcus shares insights from his personal experience being imprinted upon by a brood of turkey poults. Join as he shares details of the imprinting process, critical factors affecting the survival and growth of poults, rapid behavioral changes as they grow, what has surprised him the most so far, and more. Check out the footage in this episode's YouTube video: https://youtu.be/j9aO4WzAd1s We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple in...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 435
Joining us this month on the podcast is a local Nebraska landowner, Merlyn Nielsen, to talk about his experiences implementing conservation practices on his farmland. From creating habitat to hunt pheasants and improve sustainability to a tip for reduced land taxes, Merlyn shares the joys and benefits of his conservation projects as well as some of the barriers encountered along the way. Resources: Natural Resources Conservation Service | USDA Farm Service Agency | USDA Seward County (NE) Pheasa...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 434
In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we travel through the story of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve with Bob Hamilton from The Nature Conservancy. Bob shares how this iconic Oklahoma landscape transitioned from a failed federal park plan to a flagship private conservation project. He recounts the acquisition of the land, the reintroduction of bison, and the development of a dynamic management model that utilizes fire and grazing to simulate natural prairie processes. Joining ...
May 31, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 433
In this episode, Dr. Tanger and Dr. Self are joined by Dr. Bronson Strickland as they consider how wildlife objectives can influence thinning regimes in forest management. Dr. Bronson Strickland, the Godfather of Timber University and co-Host of Deer University, our sister program. Dr. Strickland is the St. John Family Endowed Professor of Wildlife Management at Mississippi State University. For questions or comments, email us at timberuniversity@gmail.com ....
May 30, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this episode, we walk through Will’s new publication researching the effects of prescribed fire on artificial wild turkey nest survival. Join as we dive into the complexities of nest predation, the impact of fire management on nesting success, the relationship between canopy cover and fire, limitations of study designs, and more. Resources: Burning during nesting | Ep 19 McInnis, M. G., et al. (2025). The Effects of Prescribed Fire on Artificial Wild Turkey Nest Survival in Closed‐Canopy Mixe...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 431
Recent claims about “de-extinction” of dire wolves have resulted in an abundance of headlines, memes, and discussion about the biology and ethics of what was happening. To contribute to the discussion, Drew and Joe invited their video production specialist, Danny, into the studio to ask questions and discuss genetics, ethics, and the current state of wolf populations. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew Ricketts are extension specialists and faculty members in the Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Managem...
May 23, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 430
In this fiery new episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, we bring the heat with special guests from Quail Forever—Tanner Swank and Adam Ray. They join hosts John Weir and Dr. Mark Turner to discuss how fire, community collaboration, and science-based management are revitalizing Oklahoma's native grasslands and Cross Timbers. Learn how Quail Forever's landscape-level work benefits not only game species like bobwhite and pheasant, but also pollinators, deer, and the entire ecosystem. Wh...
May 22, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 429
The central United States is known for its big rivers. From the mighty Mississippi to its tributaries that include the Missouri, Ohio, and Arkansas River, these large rivers drain about 41% of the U.S. including 31 states. They are important for our economy as corridors for transportation, and they are important as recreational fisheries. But they are facing many threats. From river modification, to urbanization, to invasive species, to changing precipitation patterns, these rivers aren’t the sa...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 428
Today we’re talking turkeys in Oklahoma with Marcus Thibodeau and Eric Suttles, wild turkey biologists for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Join as they disclose the status of subspecies across the state, harvest rates, seasons dates, habitat challenges across the state, successful and unsuccessful restocking efforts, on-going research, assistance for landowners, and more. Resources: Online Prescribed Fire Course We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 427
Gamebird University dives into the conservation and management of gamebirds, uncovering the science behind these efforts. From waterfowl and quail to turkeys, woodcock, and beyond, no gamebird species is off the table for discussion. The show also features engaging discussions on bird dogs and bird hunting. Whether you're passionate about gamebird management or an avid hunter, this podcast is for you! This podcast is part of the Natural Resources University Podcast Network. Hosts of Gamebird Uni...
May 18, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 426
We’re honored to host Dr. Dave Engle—Regents Professor Emeritus at Oklahoma State University and a pioneer in fire ecology. From wildland firefighting in New Mexico to building OSU’s fire program with just two torches and a vision, Dave shares an incredible career rooted in science, stewardship, and some good ol’ fashioned trial and error. We dive into the origins of patch-burn grazing, the challenges of managing the Cross Timbers, and why eastern redcedar became his lifelong nemesis. Dr. Engle ...
May 17, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 425
Dr. Kelly O’Neil breaks down details of our latest research project focused on poult behavior and development. Join as she walks us step-by-step through a poult’s life - from egg collection to incubation, hatching, imprinting, and development until flight. Watch this episode (filled with poult footage) on our YouTube! We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild tur...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 424
In this episode, Mark and James sit down to discuss what landowners and managers should be thinking about as spring arrives. From prescribed fire in upland habitats to wetland management during spring and summer, they cover key seasonal considerations for supporting gamebird populations. The conversation also touches on quail call surveys, the spring migration of waterfowl, and new insights from their ongoing GPS mallard research. Plus, they tease an upcoming episode focused on busting common my...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 423
In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things , Dr. Bidwell — emeritus professor and longtime OSU Extension specialist — shares how prescribed fire, patch grazing, and a deep understanding of native plants can turn overgrown pastures into thriving, profitable landscapes. From chasing helicopters to chasing quail, his experience is equal parts science and grit. We dive into the real-world application of fire on the land, why “weeds” might actually help your cattle, and how seasonality ...
May 12, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 422
We’ve launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. This course is intended to be comprehensive, leading you through advanced concepts in habitat management, predator management, disease, and overall population management. We made the course online so you can take it on your own time, at your own pace, wherever you are! Enroll Now: https://tinyurl.com/WildTurkeyMa...
May 05, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 421
Have you ever struggled to find areas to hunt? Especially in Nebraska, where over 97% of the state is privately owned land, access to hunting can be difficult to come by. We know from previous research that a lack of access is also a top reason why people stop hunting or don't start at all. But public access programs like Open Fields and Waters and the Nebraska Community Access Partnership are tackling this issue head-on. For any hunter interested, these programs provide access to quality privat...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 420
Today, we are covering the Florida Wild Turkey Cost-Share program. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Forest Service, and National Wild Turkey Federation have teamed up to put millions into improving turkey habitat on over one million acres of public hunting ground in the state. Resources: Wild Turkey Cost Share Program Florida’s Wild Turkey Cost-Share Program New, comprehensive online wild turkey course launching - Pre-enroll now! Juliana Ofalt ( Contact ) Ricky Lackey ( Contact ) Dr. Ma...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 419
Gamebird University dives into the conservation and management of gamebirds, uncovering the science behind these efforts. From waterfowl and quail to turkeys, woodcock, and beyond, no gamebird species is off the table for discussion. The show also features engaging discussions on bird dogs and bird hunting. Whether you're passionate about gamebird management or an avid hunter, this podcast is for you! This podcast is part of the Natural Resources University Podcast Network. Hosts of Gamebird Uni...
Apr 24, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 418
Silvicultural methodology for longleaf pine is sometimes misunderstood by landowners and land managers. Join the Timber University team as they discuss longleaf systems and their management using current techniques with today’s guest, Dr. John Willis, a research forester with the United States Forest Service. For questions or comments, email us at timberuniversity@gmail.com .
Apr 23, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 417
